Latch



(Mode '2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

L. S'GOPIELD;

LATCH.

` No. 423,493. Patented Mar. 18, 1890.

(Model.) 2 Sheets--Sheet 2.

L. SGOFIELD.

LATGH. N0.423,49s. Patented Ma,r18,189o.

[ZI 1M fis n nuns, Pnammmgnphur. wumnsm. n, c;

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LEVI SCOFIELD, OF GRAND HAVEN, MICHIGAN. v

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 423,493, dated March18, 1890.

Application tiled August 3, 1889., Serial No.3l9,640. (Model.)

To all whom t may concern.-

Be it known that I, Lnvr SooFiELD, of Grand Haven, in the county ot'Ottawaand State of Michigan, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Locksg and I do hereby declare the following to be afull, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had tothe accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specication, and tothe letters of reference marked thereon.

This invention relates to improvements upon or applicable to that classof door-fastenings wherein a reciprocating bolt is held normallyprojected from the casing by a yielding pressure device-such asaspringwhich permits .the bolt to be retracted by contact with astrike-plate or its equivalent and projects it after passing said-plate;and my said invention consists, primarily, in the employment of areciprocating bolt or catch With a yielding pressure device-such as aspring or springs-so arranged and applied as to hold said bolt normallyin a position intermediate of the extremes of its movement in oppositedirections, and with its end projected beyond the case to co-operatewith the strike-plate in the usual manner, said yielding pressure deviceoperating, as the bolt is reciprocated in either direction, to return itto the normal position, an actuating device operating upon the bolt toproject and retract the latter, a locking device engaging the bolt, andan incline upon the bolt co-operating with the strike-plate to draw thedoor close when the bolt is projected, all as hereinafter fullydescribed, and the novel features pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, representing the preferred embodiment ofmy said invention, Figure l represents in section a portion of a doorand frame with the door closed and. held by the bolt in normal position.Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the bolt projected to draw the doortoward the frame. Fig. 3 is a plan View of one face of the lock. Fig. 4is a plan view of the locking mechanism, the side plate being removed toshow the interior with the bolt retracted. Fig. 5 is a similar view, thebolt being shown projected beyond the normal position. Fig.

6 is a side elevation of the case with bolt removed. Fig. .7 is a sideelevation of the detachable plate. Fig. 8 is an edge view ofthe bolt andspring detached from the case. Fig. 9 is a side elevation of theactuating-spindle. Fig. l0 illustrates a modification, the inventionbeing shown applied to a face instead of a mortise lock.

Similar letters of reference in the several figures indicate the sameparts.

The lock case or frame A may be of any desired or approved form orconstruction adapted to receive the several working parts and retainthem in proper relation to each other.

The bolt or latch B is supported within the frame, so as to permit'Vfree longitudinal motion therein, and its outer end b is beveled on oneside, that facing the door-frame, to co-operate with the strike-plate orthe edge of the door-frame, and thereby retract the bolt. In locksofthis kind as ordinarily constructed a spring is applied to the bolt in amanner to hold it projected to the extreme limit of its outwardmovement, which position is represented in Fig. 1. Now, according to mypresent invention, the bolt is permitted a furtheroutward movementbeyond the position indicated in Fig. l, which latter' represents thebolt in what is herein termed its normal position-one intermediate thetWo extremes of vits movement and corresponding functionally andstructurally to the extreme outer position of the bolts in ordinarylocks of this kind. The bolt is maintained in this normal position andwhen moved in either direction is returned tov said position by theapplication of a sp1-ing or springs suitably arranged to engage the boltand be compressed thereby when said bolt is'either retracted orprojected.

A simple form and application of such a yielding pressure device, andone serving well to illustrate the fprinciple, is shown at C in Figs. 4,5, 8, and 10. Y

The rear portion of the bolt B is reduced somewhat, and upon it isplacedthe coiled spring C, together With Washers or heads c at each endof the spring, the Whole being maintained in position upon the bolt byshoulders or pins c.

Then the bolt is placed in position Within IOO Vss

the case, the spring and the washers, if the latter are employed, arereceived between two shoulders or abutments c2, with the end h of thebolt projecting beyond-the case and in normal position. As will readilybe understood, if the bolt is retracted the rear end of the spring willbear against the shoulder c2 at that end, and the opposite lend ofthespring will engage the pin or shoulder upon the bolt, and thus thespring will be compressed and by its expansion will forcethe boltoutward to the normal position. If, on the contrary, the Abolt beprojected beyond the normal position, the front end-of the spring willbear upon the shoulder c2 and the rearend be engaged by the shoulder orpin on the bolt. By this arrangement one spring is made to perform theoffices of two springs, the one interposed between the bolt and shoulderon the case for returning the bolt in one direction and the otherinterposed inlike manner between a shoulder and the bolt, but pressingin the opposite direction-a construction which would be illustrated byattaching the central portion of the spring C to the bolt instead ofallowing it free motion thereon.

The arrangement first described is simpler and cheaper, and hence ispreferred; but any construction of yielding pressure device is regardedas the equivalent of the one shown if it operates in like manner toreturn the bolt in either direct-ion to the normal position indicated.

It will be observed that the bolt is adapted to perform all the usualfunctions of a bolt of this kind-that is to say, it may be retracted topass therstrike-plate and when released will be forced outward bythe'spring-and it is only when it is desired to close the door moretightly against the frame or jamb or to lock the door in closed positionthat the provision for the further outward motion of the bolt becomes ofvalue.

Experience has shown that in closing the doors of refrigerators andother closed receptacles it is exceedingly difficult, if notimpractical, to produce close contact all around and. form a tight jointwhen employingvthe ordinary spring-operated bolt or latch. Unless acertain amount of play is allowed for the bolt its action cannot bedepended upon, as a slight warping orv swelling of the wood will preventthe bolt from entering Vbehind the strike-plate or into the mortise.Moreover, if fitted so as to hold close the spring will not throw thebolt unless very considerable pressure is brought against the door to Aclose it.

Now one object of my present invention is to provide a lock which, whenapplied to the door of a refrigerator or other receptacle, can be reliedupon to engage the strike-plate or itsequivalent and so hold the doorclosed, making a reasonably-close joint, and by a further slightmanipulation can be made to draw the door tightly against the jamb or,

frame. To this end the bolt B is provided with a shoulder b inrear ofthe portion engaging the strike-plate when the bolt is inv normalposition, or, what is regarded as an equivalent construction, the inneror rear face of the strike-plate P, or its equivalent, is furnished witha shoulder or inclined surface p,

so that by projecting the bolt B outward beyond `its normal position itwill by thewedging action against the strike-plate draw the door towardthe frame or jamb, as indicated in Fig. 2.

The means for effecting the necessary movements of the bolt areextremely simple, cheap,

and effective. l

The bolt B is formed or provided with two shoulders b4, (preferablyformed by making an openingh5 through the bolt,) between which isreceived a lug Z on an arm Z', attached to a spindle L. ably formedintegral with spindle L, which latter takes a bearing in an opening Z3in the case and is provided with a projection or shoulder Z4, engaging`the case and maintaining the lugZ in operative relation with the wallsor shoulders 'b4 on the bolt, the latter being recessed or cut away onthe under side to accommodate the movements of the arm Z Vhen thespindle is, rotated in one direction, the lugZ engaging the shoulder b4on one side, retracts the bolt, and when the spindle is rotated intheopposite direction to engage the other shoulder the bolt is projectedbeyond the normal position, and the shoulder on the bolt or i nclinedface of the strike-plate, or bot-h together, will operate to draw vthedoor tight against the frame.

In applying the lock, if of themortise type shown in Figs. l and 2, amortise is cut in the door and a hole bored for the insertion of thespindle. The hole is enlarged somewhat on one side of the mortise, andafter the lock has been inserted the spindle is passed from the innerside of the door through the lock, the enlarged opening permitting thearm 'Z on the spindle to be drawn into the lock, a suitable opening Obeing formed in the side of the case to permit the arm to be drawnthrough the hole in the bolt until the collar is brought into contactwith the opposite or outer side of the case.

Upon the projecting end of the spindle is fitted a knob or handle H, theend of the spindle being provided with an angular shoulder or head andthe knob with a corresponding socket, so that when a screw S is appliedto the end of the Spindle it will draw the knob or handle down until theend of the socket j The lug Z and arm Z are prefer- ICO IOS

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but when two knobs-one on each side-are desired, as when the lockvis tobe employed on ordinary doors, the spindle is prolonged A or extended,as shown in dotted lines, Fig. 9,

. which the arm on the spindle was inserted.

Provision is made for holding and retailiing the bolt B when projectedto draw the door close against the jamb by so proportioning andarranging the lugZ and shoulder b4 that 'when the spindle is turned toproject the bolt the lug will be carried in line with or slightly belowthe axis of the spindle, and to prevent this action taking place whenthe spindle' is turned in the 'opposite direction a shoulders is formedupon the case to engage the lug l or arm Z and arrest the motion of thespindle before the lug is brought in line with the axis of the spindle.

Vhen it is desired to add a key-lock, it can readily be accomplished byarranging within the case any desired form of locking-mechanism T,provided with a suitable shoulder or dog t for engaging the bolt B, or ashoulderthereon, to prevent said bolt being re tracted until vreleasedby the use of a key. To illustrate this feature of the invention, I haveshown a locking mechanism of the simplest type, comprising a tumbler or.bolt t held in engagement with a lugt2 by a spring t3, and adapted tobe reciprocated by a, key. When in locked position, the bolt or tumblert is moved behind a shoulder 254 on the bolt B and prevents theretraction of the latter; but when said bolt or tumbler is retracted thebolt B is free to move.

It is obvious that any desired form or construction of locking mechanismmay be elnployed which contains or actuates a dog for engaging ashoulder on the bolt'B to restrain or limit the movement of the latter.

, spring it is provided with two supportingpins blo, furnished withshoulders bu. spring C is mounted upon the pins Z910 and takes itsbearings at the ends upon the shoulders b, suitable washers orequivalent means being provided to sustain the lends of the spring. I

The case is furnished with two bearings or shoulders Z212, between whichthe spring is received, so that as the bolt is retracted the spring willengage one bearing, and when projected will engage the opposite bearing.The locking bolt'or tumbler in this case is shown as adapted to engage alug Z114 on the bolt B when it is desired to hold the latter projected.

If desired, a second knob or handle can be applied to this style of lockby extending-the The spindle and providing a bearing for the spinldle onthe inner side, as by extending the spindle through a hole in the case.

Having th us described my invention, what I claim as new is* I. f Incombination with a reciprocating bolt such as described and yieldingdevices for holding it in normal position and permitting it to beretracted and projected, a spindle provided with a lug on one side ofits axis engaging shoulders on the bolt to reciprocate the latter, thesaid lug and shoulders being so arrangedthat when the spindle is rotatedto project the bolt the lug will be carried 1n line with or below theaxis of the spindle to hold the bolt projected against the pressure ofthe yielding devices, as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In combination with the bolt mounted to reciprocate in the case andheldin normal position with its end projected beyond the case byyielding devices Which permit the bolt to be projected or retracted, aspindle supported in a bearing in the case and provided with an armbearing a lug, the latter being received between shoulders on the boltand a shoulder on the case engaged by said spindle to limit its rotationin the direction to retract the bolt and prevent said lug from' IOOmounted therein,'the spindle carrying a lug for engaging shoulders onthe bolt, said spindle extending through a bearing 1nv one slde of thecase and provided with a shoulder or collar, and a knob 0r handleprovided with a socket to receive the end of the spindle, and ascrew-connection for moving said socket longitudinally of the spindleinto engagement with the outer face of the door or an escutcheon appliedthereto, substantially as described.

4. The combination, with abolt reciprocating longitudinally in bearingsand provided with yielding pressure devices supporting the bolt innormalposition withits end projected to engage a strike-plaie, of anactuating device'- such as a spindle-provided with an arm movablebetween and engaging shoulders on the bolt, substantiallyas described,whereby upon turning said spindle in one direction it will project thebolt and when turned in the opposite will retract it,both movementsbeing positive and in opposition to the action of the yielding pressuredevice.

5. In combination with the reciprocating bolt having the inclined outerface and-the spring engaging said bolt to hold it with its end normallyprojected, the spindle provided with an actuatingarm movable betweenshoulders on the bolt to projector' retract the latter in opposition tothe 1pressure of the spring, substantially as described.

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6. In a lock such as described, and in combination With the recessedbolt mounted to reciprocate in the case, the latter having an opening'on one side and a bearing on the other, a spindle provided with aradial arrn for engaging the Wall of the recess in the bolt toreciprocate' the latter, said spindle being inserted through the openside of the case and engaging the bearing on the opposite side and heldin position by a socket applied to the end of the spindle outside thedoor, substantially as described.

7. In a lock such as described, the combination of the reciprocatingbolt, a pressure device-such as the spring-operating upon the bolt tohold it normally projected, a vspindle provided with an arm engagingshoulders on the bolt and operating thereon when moved in oppositedirections to project and retract the bolt in opposition to the pressuredevice, and a lock for engaging the bolt when projected by the action ofthe spindle to prevent the return ot' the bolt, substantially asdescribed.

LEVI SCOFIELD.

Witnesses: Y

ALEX. S. STEUART,

THOMAS DURANT.

